You are here

Department Of Theatre And Dance Presents Play By Alumnus April 15-18

Springfield, Ohio – Rounding out a packed 2009-10 schedule, Wittenberg University’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents its final mainstage production of the school year withJaney Miller’s World Tour: A Fairy Tale, written by John Cassel, Wittenberg class of 1998. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 15-17, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 18, in Chakeres Memorial Theatre.

This modern-day fairy tale features a young woman in distress whose evil step-mother is trying to kill her father for his money. Her fairy Godmother substitute, a psychic, predicts the worst, but she also gives Janey the numbers she needs to win the lottery. With money to spare, Janey goes on a world tour to avoid her fate. With comedy, romance and adventure to spare, the play is appropriate for all ages and runs for 90 minutes without an intermission.

“We have a great cast,” said Professor of Theatre and Dance Steve Reynolds, director of the production. “We have five seniors with leading roles in the show, which gives us a lot of experience to go along with some up-and-coming underclassmen who will carry crucial roles in the show as well. Four actors play multiple roles.”

Cast members include Allie Persinger, class of 2010 from Washington Court House, Ohio, who will carry out the lead role of playing Janey. The rest of the cast includes Pat Deering, class of 2010 from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, as Marc Others; Laura Kay, class of 2012 from Olmsted Township, Ohio, as Linda Others; Hannah Blechman, class of 2012 from Fairfax Station, Va., as Marion Others; Collin Wenzell, class of 2010 from Half Moon Bay, Calif., as Karl Phillips; Amber Bodi, class of 2010 from Grand Rapids, Ohio, as Felicity; Chris Jones, class of 2010 from Middletown, Ohio, as Gumble; and Krissy Hartman, class of 2013 from Strongsville, Ohio, as Marie Others.

“The Wittenberg theatre staff will also unveil a new and improved set design,” Reynolds said. “The scenery consists of projection scenery almost exclusively, along with an intertwining group of ramps. Two data projectors will display images on two special screens that will be lit from upstage.”

Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance Jimmy Humphries was the mastermind of this innovative set in which he spent countless hours on the engineering and lighting details. With help from Paden Frank, class of 2010 from Groveport, Ohio, who has done the majority of the projection design, and Jones, who is doing extensive sound design, the set is an integral part of the mainstage performance.

Cassel, who was on campus in late February, will serve a residency with the Department of Theatre and Dance the week of April 11-18. His visit to Wittenberg is supported in part by The Anne Barry Hudson Endowment Fund for Theatre and Dance.

Tickets are $4 and can be purchased at the service desk in the basement of the Benham-Pence Student Center until the show opens.